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Book Description

Dates proposed for Zoroaster's birth range from 1750 to 500 BCE. Though it is generally thought that Zoroaster lived about the 11th or 10th century BCE, some scholars believe that he lived sometime between 1750 and 1500 BCE or between 1400 and 1200 BCE. The traditional Parsi people of Pakistan and India place the Prophet as older than 600 BCE.

In the Gathas hymns, Zoroaster sees the human condition as the mental struggle between truth and lie. The cardinal concept of aša—which is highly nuanced and only vaguely translatable—is at the foundation of all Zoroastrian doctrine, including that of Ahura Mazda (who is truth), creation (that is lie), existence (that is truth) and as the condition for Free Will, which is arguably Zoroaster's greatest contribution to religious philosophy.The purpose of humankind, like that of all other creation, is to sustain truth.

For humankind, this occurs through active participation in life and the exercise of constructive thoughts, words and deeds.

Dates proposed for Zoroaster's birth range from 1750 to 500 BCE. Though it is generally thought that Zoroaster lived about the 11th or 10th century BCE, some scholars believe that he lived sometime between 1750 and 1500 BCE or between 1400 and 1200 BCE. The traditional Parsi people of Pakistan and India place the Prophet as older than 600 BCE.

In the Gathas hymns, Zoroaster sees the human condition as the mental struggle between truth and lie. The cardinal concept of aša—which is highly nuanced and only vaguely translatable—is at the foundation of all Zoroastrian doctrine, including that of Ahura Mazda (who is truth), creation (that is lie), existence (that is truth) and as the condition for Free Will, which is arguably Zoroaster's greatest contribution to religious philosophy.The purpose of humankind, like that of all other creation, is to sustain truth.

For humankind, this occurs through active participation in life and the exercise of constructive thoughts, words and deeds.

This book is split into two parts. The first part is a rather pompous, self-congratulatory and stylistically old-fashioned history of the Zoroastrian religion, its morals and its view of the cosmos. I struggled with some of names, places and concepts mentioned, which are not well explained. However, having said that, it remains a better explanation of the Zoroaster religion than I found on wikipeida, so I must give it credit for that.

The second half of the book is important quotes from the sacred texts. These are easy to understand and written in simple English. The whole book is relatively short, and I managed to skim read it in a few hours. I now feel armed with enough knowledge to try a reading of the Avesta, the sacred Zoroaster texts. I suppose that means the book has done its job.

If you are looking for a reason to read this book, other than simple curiosity, then I suggest you read it whilst contemplating the second half of the Old Testament. Key Zoroastrian concepts such as resurrection, final judgement and a malevolent spirit tempting you to sin (Satan) only appear in the Jewish religion after the Babylonian exile, when the two religions had ample opportunity to mix. I think the possible blending of the two monotheistic religions is an important and largely unacknowledged phenomenon...but make your own mind up on that :)

This is a nice little introduction to one of the world's forgotten religions. There's nothing complex about this little volume of spiritual texts. Basic precepts of Zoroastrian belief are explained and numerous quotations and prayers are given. There are hints of the influence of Zoroastrian belief upon Jewish and Christian thought. Leaving one to wonder what the world would be like if the Parsian faith were more widespread. My only complaint is that I wish it were more indepth, but have to remember it was written in 1908 and was probably a rare volume in its day.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 starsThe origins of monotheism?17 Dec. 2013

By travel light and smiling - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase

In looking at this work, and doing a little checking, I see that the Abrahamic religions were probably the heirs to the monotheistic tradition coupled with good and evil, and not the originators. It kind of shoots the hell out of the idea that they are unique. Hmmm.

4.0 out of 5 starswas a gift26 Aug. 2014

By RCB - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase

I bought this as a gift for my sister in law and from what she said she liked it. Good price and fast shipping.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent30 Aug. 2005

By Anonymous - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Paperback

An excellent introduction to Zoroastrianism. Anyone interested in comparative religions will love this book.

6 of 16 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 starsArchaic24 Aug. 2007

By C. One - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase

This is not a book that will interest you if you are at all interested in what Zoroaster and the Parsi religion is all about. The script is archaic and leaves one rather bemused as to what the author was trying to convey.